Impact report: BGreen - sugar industry diversification - Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia

Summary

This impact report summaries the impacts of the CRCNA project A.3.2021118 ‘Project BGreen – sugar industry diversification‘.

BGreen demonstrated the commercial potential of transforming the sugarcane industry by producing new biochemicals and energy products. The project delivered a viable bioeconomy concept, identified major cost-saving pathways, and increased confidence in sustainable industry diversification for the Burdekin region.

Project B Green (sugarcane)

Project BGreen is a biorefinery based on converting sugarcane juice to glycols and sugar cane biomass into hydrogen. This project has produced a comprehensive techno-economic feasibility study. It includes the design of a sugarcane factory and refinery that is energy self-sufficient and carbon negative. Diversifying sugarcane processing beyond crystal sugar not only spreads financial risk for growers and industry stakeholders but also presents opportunities for increased industry revenue and enhanced regional economic power. By targeting emerging markets with long-term growth potential, this diversification aims to secure the future of the sugarcane industry in the Burdekin for the generations to come. Key research questions: Can the MOSAIK™ monosaccharide process, developed by Danish technology company Haldor Topsoe, be applied to Australian sugarcane? Can hydrogen be manufactured at scale from sugarcane biomass for use in the glycolisation reaction? Is the system economically viable and environmentally sustainable?